Welsh first minister 'frustrated' at UK lack of engagement over farm policy

Cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths was welcomed to Mr Matheson's farm last week
Cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths was welcomed to Mr Matheson's farm last week

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones said he is 'frustrated' over the UK government's lack of engagement with the devolved assembly following the June election.

Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) members and farmers met with the Mr Jones and cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths last week.

TFA Cymru chairman Dennis Matheson said the first minister 'did not mince his words' over his frustration.

"He listened carefully to the concerns of the farming industry and gave assurances that he would do his utmost to ensure a successful Brexit for the farming community in Wales which he identified as being vitally important to the economy.

"TFA Cymru agrees with the First Minister on the need for a negotiated UK framework to be in place for agricultural policy.

"It is deeply concerning, with only a little over 20 months left before we formally leave the European Union, that so little progress has been made on this front.

"It had been hoped that greater clarity would have been evident following the publication of the Great Repeal Bill but this opportunity appears to have been missed by the UK Government," Mr Matheson said.

Cabinet secretary Lesley Griffiths was welcomed to Mr Matheson's farm last week.

They both discussed challenges faced by livestock farmers in an upland environment.

"We discussed a range of issues including bovine TB, slurry storage, Glastir and of course Brexit," he said.

“The Welsh Government is certainly well ahead in thinking through the implications of Brexit in comparison to the UK Government and it is time that Whitehall and Westminster picked up the pace and became more inclusive in its discussions.”